Efficacy and Safety of Sipjeondaebo‐Tang for Anorexia in Patients with Cancer: A Pilot, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Anorexia occurs in about half of cancer patients and is associated with high mortality rate. However, safe and long-term use of anorexia treatment is still an unmet need. Objective The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility of Sipjeondaebo-tang (Juzen-taiho-to, Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang) for cancer-related anorexia. Methods A total of 32 participants with cancer anorexia were randomized to either Sipjeondaebo-tang group or placebo group. Participants were given 3 g of Sipjeondaebo-tang or placebo 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in the Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of anorexia, FAACT scale, and laboratory tests. Results Anorexia and quality of life measured by FAACT and VAS were improved after 4 weeks of Sipjeondaebo-tang treatment. However, there was no significant difference between changes of Sipjeondaebo-tang group and placebo group. Conclusions Sipjeondaebo-tang appears to have potential benefit for anorexia management in patients with cancer. Further large-scale studies are needed to ensure the efficacy. Trial Registration This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02468141.

Sipjeondaebo-tang in patients with breast cancer with fatigue: a protocol for a pilot, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial

“…So far, most studies on patients with cancer using traditional Korean medicine conducted in Korea are small-scale studies. Similar to other small pilot studies on sleep disturbance, 47 fatigue, 48 pain 49 and anorexia 50 in patients with cancer conducted in Korea, which have provided evidence for further study, we hope that the present study will also promote further studies and the use of herbal medicines in patients with cancer. The present study may be regarded as a study that investigates preventive effect of SJDBT in fatigue during chemotherapy.…”

Sipjeondaebo-tang Alleviates Oxidative Stress‐Mediated Liver Injury through Activation of the CaMKK2‐AMPK Signaling Pathway

“…Use of herbal medicines has become common worldwide due to their multiple therapeutic activities and few side effects [ 24 ]. SDT is one of the most well-known herbal prescriptions for treating weakness after illness (e.g., anorexia, fatigue, and anemia) in Korea, China, and Japan [ 11 , 12 ]. Although several studies have reported the effects of SDT against oxidative stress in the liver [ 15 , 16 ], the associated molecular mechanisms by which SDT prevents oxidative stress have not been fully elucidated.…”

“…Sipjeondaebo-tang (SDT; Shiquandabu in Chinese, Juzentaihoto in Japanese) comprised 12 medicinal herbs and can tonify vital energy (also called “ qi ”) and blood [ 11 ]. Thus, SDT has been used to treat lassitude, anemia, and anorexia in traditional Korean medicine [ 12 ]. Modern scientific evidence suggests that SDT has a variety of pharmacological activities, including antitumor [ 13 – 15 ], antioxidant [ 16 – 18 ], and neuroprotective [ 19 ] activities.…”

An update on Chinese herbal medicines as adjuvant treatment of anticancer therapeutics

“…A Pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n = 32) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shi-quan-da-bu-tang for anorexia in patients with cancer (76). The results showed that 4 weeks of Shi-quan-da-bu-tang treatment effectively improved the QOL and anorexia in patients.…”